1997 Honda Civic engine problems

Filed May 2, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 45,000 miles · OR

I had car computer problems, air conditioning problem and paint on car body is cracking. These problems started to happen gradually, computer problems happened while I was driving on the road in the city; the paint started to crack for many years and the car looks miserable. The air conditioning broke down during a summer time, when I had no money to repair it and had to suffer due to the high heat weather. There is also a crack somewhere in the engine, not sure where, which can make things worse.

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,000 miles · VA

Date and mileage are approximate. This was my wife's car which I very seldom drove. Not long after the car was new, I drove it and the following happened (the date I've listed is only approximate): I was driving at about 20mph and had to stop for a red light. I took my foot off of the accelerator and stepped on the brake pedal. The engine RPM did not slow down to idle, and tried to keep moving the car forward. I turned off the ignition to keep from having a crash. This is not an accelerator pedal problem as I shall explain later. I called the honda dealer and was told that if it happened again to bring the car in. I told my wife what to do if it happened to her. Either it never happened to her or it did and she never told me. My wife died at the end of january 2015. Since then, I have sometimes driven her civic. About 2-3 weeks ago the same problem occurred: I had driven several miles and had to stop. The engine RPM did not slow! I immediately put the automatic transmission into neutral and the engine RPM immediately slowed to idle. This is not a stuck accelerator problem because, if it were, the engine RPM would have increased when I shifted into neutral. It is not a brake problem unless the brakes are somehow physically or electronically connected to the engine RPM. Yesterday, march 4, 2015, the same problem occurred twice again after I had driven only about 3 blocks. In both cases I turned off the ignition to prevent an accident. I had the car towed to the dealer. The dealer could find nothing wrong with the car. I have contacted honda USA about this serious safety problem. Note: I have spent almost all of my professional life in the area of safety analysis.

Filed Oct 23, 2013 · Engine · 121,424 miles · FL

This is car 2. On the 10th of august, I took the saturn in after I had placed the call to [xxx] the gentleman that sold me the saturn, about the car not working properly. I was then given a 1997 honda civic, I resigned what the loan papers and left. I had to pay to transfer the plates from one car to the next. Well it is sad to say that on 8-12-13 the car shut off while I was in the center lane of i95, with 2 children in the car and another adult doing 70 MPH. I coasted to the shoulder of the highway, [xxx] is closed on sunday; I waited until monday I placed a call to [xxx]. I spoke with [xxx]and explained what had happened. Today 10-15-2013 I got up and called [xxx]. I then decided to go to the shop. When I got there all of the parties where there, and I asked what would happen with the car. I was informed that they could fix the engine for about $1500-$1800. That was not an option for me as I felt that there is no way that I should have to replace a whole engine after only having it for two months. I was told that the dealers?? Hands were tied. I was past my warranty of 30 days or 1000 miles.keep in mind I was past my warranty the first time as well. I was told that there is no way for them to tell if the engine is bad before they put it out there to be sold. The dealer then began to tell me that in a 60 day period I drove the car 4000 miles I replied what does that have to do with anything. I told him there should be no reason that I have to replace a whole engine within a two month period used car or not. All I wanted was a reliable car that is safe. This business didn't provide that. I went in to resolve this matter face to face, as well as emailed the owner. All I wanted was a reliable car that works properly, and I don't want to lose the money that I have already put in to what I thought I was getting in the first place, which is a safe reliable car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Engine · 90,000 miles · AK

Engine shutdown without warning while driving.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Engine · 28,220 miles · CT

I brought my 1997 honda civic in for a recurring problem which was covered under an warranty issued by honda for resetting an emissions problem in 1997 civics. This is the seventh time I had to have this light reset. The warranty was for up to 150k miles. This time I had 152k miles. I was told from now on I would have to pay a $85 diagnostic fee plus repair. This is unfair as this is a recurring problem that has not been corrected. As this occurs on average every 12,000 miles I could have to pay this diagnostic fee of $85 plus parts for a recurring problem that has not been fixed. Note that a coworker who has the same car had brought the car in nine times. This dealer replaced the catalytic converter on her car and the light has not come back on. When I brought the car in for the repair above I was told that honda would not repair the car until all the non-honda parts in the area affected were replaced. The total of these parts was $227. This would be in addition to the $85 diagnostic fee. I was told by the service manager that they would not even look at the car until the non-honda parts were replaced. I asked if they could reset the engine light as they had in the past and was told no. I asked for the car back and did not replace the parts. I was charged the $85 diagnostic fee. The light is now off and the car runs fine. I have driven another 6,000 miles since that time and the light has not come back on. The owner's manual states that genuine honda parts are recommended; it does not say they are required. The owner's manual should state explicitly that the use of honda only parts is required or dealer may not service the car. I feel this is a violation of my right to patronize a certified service facility. If extended this type of policy could be ruinous to non-dealer service facilities. I opened a case with american honda and they said that dealers are independently owned and operated and they could do nothing. This whole policy exploits the public.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Engine · OK

My engine light came on due to the fact that I needed to replace my o2 sensor. While attempting to replace it we noticed a crack in the exhaust manifold. When we took it to the shop we were told that this was a common problem with honda civics. Apparently they see the manifolds start to crack around 110,000 miles. The cost was nearly $700 to replace it.

Filed Jun 18, 2003 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CA

Exhaust manifold is cracked and leaks. Manifold makes noise and exhaust gas can be smelled in the passenger compartment. This does not comply with fmvss requiring all exhaust gases be vented behind the passenger compartment.

Filed Jun 3, 2003 · Engine · 110,000 miles · VA

After vehicle warms to operating temp. And the rpms are between 2000 and 3000. The vehicle bogs down, releasing the throttle or pushing in the clutch pedal and the vehicle idle is normal. If the throttle is pushed down and the rpms rise, the problem goes away. When this occurs the vehicle can bog down and then straighten out the speed will resume to where it should be. This is an intermittent problem with no rhyme or reason associated with it. I have had the vehicle in the shop several times and have asked countless number of people. Internet search had shown that other people are having the same problem and no one has an answer as to the cause or the relief. This has been happening as long as I have owned the car and I noticed it the first time I drove it. I bought is used and it had no warranty. Vehicle needed exhaust manifold and tires when I bought it. Nothing else was mentioned. I feel this is a hazard, as it is unpredictable and it has occurred in parking lots, as well as on the open road. I have read other people having this problem and it seems to be only with the honda 1.6 liter sohc vtec 16y8 engine. This is the engine that I have in my civic ex.

Filed Feb 18, 2003 · Engine · NC

Since oct '02, I have had my car in and out of the dealership due to the recall for emissions. Each time, the check engine light has come on, I have taken it to the dealership and had the problem fixed. The first time, the computer went bad and was replaced. The second time, the o2 sensor went bad and the car stalled out on a busy interstate in nc where construction is being done and there are no shoulders to pull off on. I believe honda should replace the entire emissions system covered under the warranty instead of costing their consumers time and a lot of aggravation by fixing the problems one at a time. This will absolutely be the last honda I own due to this one situation. I'm sick of spending time in the dealership having to wait for them to tell me what the current problem is. A car that is 6 years old should not have to have the whole emissions system replaced in the first place. This is ridiculous and someone needs to fix it.

Filed Jan 14, 2003 · Engine · OH

The check engine light illuminated, the dealer informed consumer the manifold was cracked and it had deteriorated the catalytic converter. Please provide any further information.